Long-Term Multinational Experience with Finasteride 1 mg in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

January 2002 in “ PubMed ”

finasteride androgenetic alopecia male pattern hair loss scalp hair growth placebo Propecia

TLDR Finasteride 1 mg/day for five years effectively improves hair growth and slows hair loss in men with male pattern baldness, and is safe for long-term use.

In a study conducted 21 years ago, 1,553 men with androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss) were treated with finasteride 1 mg/day or a placebo for five years. The study found that finasteride led to significant improvements in scalp hair growth and slowed the progression of hair loss compared to the placebo group. The treatment was generally well tolerated and no new safety concerns were identified during long-term use. Therefore, the study concluded that long-term treatment with finasteride 1 mg/day was effective and safe for men with androgenetic alopecia.

View this study on pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community Diffuse hair loss and scalp biopsies

in Research 692 upvotes 3 months ago

Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

community COMPLETE OVERVIEW of the Treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men

26 upvotes 10 years ago

Male androgenetic alopecia is commonly treated with topical minoxidil and oral finasteride, both requiring continuous use. Other options include hair restoration surgery, dutasteride, light therapy, and camouflaging agents.

community What do these pictures say about my hair and scalp if anything? Miniaturization, inflammation, etc.?

in Research/Science 74 upvotes 2 years ago

Hair loss and scalp issues, with people discussing possible treatments such as Nizoral shampoo, Minoxidil, neem oil, and finasteride.

community Any success stories switching from finasteride to dutasteride?

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 36 upvotes 1 year ago

Switching from finasteride to dutasteride for treating hair loss, with reports of improved regrowth and little to no side effects.

community A meta analysis of 18 popular hair loss treatments. An 2022 guide on efficacy. From finasteride and minoxidil to caffeine shampoo, saw palmetto and biotin. 96 Scientific References included.

in Research/Science 101 upvotes 2 years ago

Most hair loss treatments are ineffective; only finasteride, dutasteride, and minoxidil show effectiveness.

community Why is it that low testosterone causes hair loss as well? How can I be balding?

in Chat 158 upvotes 7 months ago

The conversation discusses the confusion over low testosterone potentially causing hair loss, with users sharing personal experiences and knowledge about hair loss treatments like Finasteride. Some users suggest that hair follicle sensitivity to DHT, not testosterone levels, is the key factor in balding, and others discuss the side effects of hair loss medications.

Related Research

10 / 10 results

research Hair Loss in Lichen Planopilaris and Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: Not Always Irreversible

9 citations, January 2020 in “Skin appendage disorders”

Hair loss from conditions like LPP and FFA can potentially be reversed with the right treatment.

research Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia Treatment Options

20 citations, January 2016 in “Intractable & Rare Diseases Research”

Combination therapy, especially with finasteride, is effective for treating frontal fibrosing alopecia.

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Female Androgenic Alopecia

November 2014 in “PharmaTutor”

Finasteride may help postmenopausal women with hair loss but is not effective for all and should be used cautiously in premenopausal women.

research Global Photographic Assessment of Men Aged 18 to 60 Years with Male Pattern Hair Loss Receiving Finasteride 1 mg or Placebo

35 citations, February 2012 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Finasteride significantly improves hair growth but may cause sexual side effects.

research Progression of Hair Loss in Men With Androgenetic Alopecia: Long-Term Controlled Observational Data in Placebo-Treated Patients

9 citations, June 2008

Men with untreated male pattern hair loss continue to lose hair over a 5-year period.

research Androgens and Alopecia

165 citations, December 2002 in “Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology”

Male hormones, particularly DHT, are linked to male pattern hair loss, and treatments like finasteride can help, but they don't work for postmenopausal women's hair loss, which may have different causes.

Treatments for Androgenetic Alopecia and Alopecia Areata